Assessment of temporary hearing loss, associated factors and measuring noise levels among workers in ayka Addis textile factory (Textile Factory Q) in Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2019.

Introduction:-Development of modern automated machines in industries has considerably decreased the physical burden of workers in addition to increasing the productivity of the industries resulting in noise pollution. Noise exposure above the limit value of 90 dB (A) is known to cause temporary hearing loss among exposed workers. Objective: - To assess temporary hearing loss, associated factors and measuring noise levels among workers in textile factory Q. Methods and materials: - A cross-sectional study design was employed from January 15 to April 30, 2019. The data collection methods were observational checklist, self-administered questionnaire and aerial and personal noise level measurements. Department heads and environmental health proffesionals was participated for data collection. A total of 406 using computerized simple random sampling and 27 individuals using Homogenous Exposure Groups were included respectively for the self-adminstered questionnaire and personal noise exposure measurements. Data was entered using Epi-data version 4.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Also 95% confidence interval was calculated for the independent variables and P value <0.05 had included to show the significance of the association. Results: - The questionnaire was completed by 388 (95.6% response rate) production section workers, of which 254 (65.5%) were females and 134 (34.5%) were males. About One hundred ninty (49.0%, COR=1.53; 95% CI= [1.15-2.03]) workers reported that they have at least one temporary hearing loss problems during working time in the textile factory. None of the participants reported the use of hearing protective devices and maximum LAeq, noise levels were recoeded in spinning II, 89.1+5.9 dBA and knitting, 89+4.3dBA. There was significant association between working departments and temporary hearing loss of workers. Conclusion: - The presented study demonstrated that work force in the spinning and knitting departments of the textile factory had high prevalence of temporary hearing loss. ...